Inspired by the evolving tequila culture in Southern California, North County Tequila seeks to redefine the essence of traditional Mexican tequila, weaving together a blend that captures the spirit of its roots while embracing modern coastal influences.
NCT was originally a concept project of mine from a few years back after jokingly talking about a San Diego based tequila brand with a buddy of mine. The challenge I faced was refreshing an already existing concept with the new skills and insights I have gained since creating the project.
Crafting North County Tequila's brand identity was an artful fusion of San Diego's vibrant local culture and traditional Mexican tequila elements. Extensive research, in competitors and historical context, was conducted to carve out a distinct niche for NCT within the local and potentially international tequila market. Drawing inspiration from local gems like the iconic San Diego streets and vintage export stamps, the brand identity encapsulates a unique blend of heritage and modern appeal, culminating in a product that stands out in today's diverse spirits landscape.
Seeking distinctive elements to infuse into this brand identity, I drew inspiration from the very roads traveled daily by myself and countless others in North County San Diego. Using satellite views, I created a pattern mirroring the layout of North County streets, which I later used as a key foundation when creating the label for the bottle. To achieve the authentic Mexican vibe, I integrated a vintage export stamp and created a soft yet vibrant color palette, similar to the eye-catching street art found in the streets of Mexico.